After leading J-M to historic season, Robertson is O-R Player of the Year
On a team that had plenty of talent, Jeremiah Robertson always seemed to do something special on the floor in big games for Jefferson-Morgan.
Whether it was a clutch three, a steal that led to a layup, or a tough runner in the lane, Robertson popped up with something impactful.
What made what he did even more impressive is that it was only his second season of playing organized basketball.
The raw talent was there when he first arrived at Jefferson-Morgan, especially his speed. But this season, he showed a refined game and led the Rockets to heights they hadn’t seen in a quarter century.
Jefferson-Morgan won a section title, WPIAL playoff game and state playoff game for the first time in 26 years.
Robertson led the Rockets in scoring and for his efforts he is the 2025-26 Observer-Reporter boys basketball Player of the Year.
“One of the things I learned from this year is to not take anything for granted,” Robertson said. “Another thing is the work we put in. I don’t think any of our starters missed a single practice this year. It was all about consistency and everybody showing up is what made us a good team this year.”
Robertson is the first Jefferson-Morgan boys basketball player to be named Player of the Year and the first from Greene County since Waynesburg’s Nate Stoner in 2004.
Dylan Donovan, who set a new career scoring record at Peters Township, was also considered.
Robertson’s Jefferson-Morgan teammate Dayten Marion, Avella’s Bryce Wright and Bentworth’s Ben Hays round out the All-District first team.
Robertson moved to the Jefferson-Morgan school district two years ago from Coatesville to live with his aunt and cousin, John Woodward, who is his teammate on the football and basketball teams.
He hadn’t played organized basketball before, but spent plenty of time playing pickup games.
There were some rules that took time to get used to, but he adjusted.
Robertson was the first player off the bench last season and was tasked by Rockets coach Brandon Lawless to provide a spark.
“I was new to the school and hadn’t played basketball in high school before, so sitting on the bench was acceptable,” Robertson said. “I accepted my role and knew it would take time to transition into being a starter.”
Robertson said he worked with Lawless in the summer to continue to improve his game and earned a place in the starting lineup that featured five seniors.
“It was definitely great, because (Lawless) was a 1,000-point scorer (at Carmichaels), so he knows a scorer when he sees one,” Robertson said. “We really connected in the offseason and put in a lot of work.”
On the final night of the regular season, Robertson scored a team-best 12 points in a 38-36 win over Chartiers-Houston that clinched a share of the Class 2A Section 3 title.
That was the first of a few major moments for the Rockets.
The second came in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs when they played Springdale in a rematch of a playoff game from last year, which the Dynamos won.
The Rockets got their revenge and were led by Robertson’s 26 points in a 49-35 win.
“This year ending that playoff drought was a big deal,” Robertson said. “You don’t want to lose to the same team twice to end your season. It was a fun game.”
Jefferson-Morgan lost in the WPIAL quarterfinals, but clinched a spot in the state tournament for the first time in 26 years. They traveled to District 9 champion Redbank Valley in the first round and came home with a resounding 50-26 win. Robertson poured in a game-high 24 points.
“We came out early and were active on defense,” Robertson said. “It was a great defensive game on both sides, but I felt like we capitalized more on our defense and turned it into offense a little bit more than they did.”
Jefferson-Morgan’s season came to an end with a loss to Jeannette in the second round of the state playoffs, but it was certainly the most successful campaign for the Rockets since the turn of the Century.
Robertson is hopeful to play college basketball next year and is weighing his options. He wants to study business management.
O-R All District Team
First team
Dylan Donovan, sr., Peters Township
Ben Hays, sr., Bentworth
Dayten Marion, sr., Jefferson-Morgan
Jeremiah Robertson, sr., Jefferson-Morgan
Bryce Wright, sr., Avella
Second team
Brody McCrerey, soph., Chartiers-Houston
Tristan Reed, sr., Washington
Takeo Tolliver, jr., Ringgold
Jonah Williamson, sr., Trinity
Tyson Wright, sr., South Fayette
Third team
Dennis Hawkins, jr., Ringgold
Roman Koenemund, sr., Canon-McMillan
Xavion Thomas, sr., Charleroi
Cam Ullom, jr., Avella
Jason Zelle, sr., Beth-Center